Teat opening protection patch for livestock

ABSTRACT

A teat opening protection patch is stuck to portions inclusive of the teat openings of livestock, and includes a laminate 1 of an elastic sheet 2 and an adhesive layer 3 laminated on one surface of the elastic sheet 2, the laminate 1 having a double-stretched tensile stress in a range of 0.1 to 5 N.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a teat opening protection patch for protectingthe teat openings of livestock. More specifically, the invention relatesto a teat opening protection patch for protecting the teat openings oflivestock, the patch being so stuck to the teats as to cover the teatopenings. The invention, further, relates to a method of protecting theteat openings of livestock.

BACKGROUND ART

One of serious diseases affecting the dairy cattle is the bovinemastitis which is an infectious disease caused by bacteria and othermicroorganisms that have entered into the breast through the teatopening, settled and multiplied therein. However, the factors ofdevelopment are so complex that the disease has not been eradicated yet.If affected by the bovine mastitis, not only the amount of milk and thequality of milk decrease but also it becomes no longer allowable, if thecattle is treated with antibiotics, to ship the milk during the periodof treatment due to the probable residence of the drugs. Moreover, ifthe symptoms are serious and the disease cannot be cured, then theaffected cattle must be eliminated causing a tremendous damage ineconomy to the dairy farmers.

In order to prevent the bovine mastitis at present, it is a generallyemployed method to dip the teats in a dipping agent (sterilizing aqueoussolution) before and after the milking in the lactation period ofmilking. This is to sterilize the mastitis-causing bacteria adhered tothe surfaces of the teat skin. It has also been attempted to reduce thearea to where the mastitis-causing bacteria have adhered by adding askin condition-improving component such as moisturizer to the dippingagent. A variety of dipping agents have been proposed chiefly forpasteurization (e.g., patent documents 1 and 2), and many products havenow been placed in the market.

A method has also been widely employed according to which in the dryperiod of not milking the cattle, antibiotics are injected into thebreast through the teat openings at the beginning of the dry period sothat the mastitis-causing bacteria may die out. In the initial stage ofdry period, it is considered that the antibiotics exhibit sterilizingeffect to some extent and are effective in the prevention of the bovinemastitis accompanied, however, by such problems as leakage ofantibiotics from the teat openings, mixing of antibiotics into raw milkat the beginning of milking after the dry period has been finished, andadvent of resistant bacteria against the antibiotics if they are usedfor extended periods of time. There has, further, been reported that thedairy cattle are prone to be newly affected by the bovine mastitis at anincreased probability in the initial stage of dry period and in the laststage of dry period before the delivery. Therefore, it cannot be saidthat the countermeasure is sufficient for preventing the bovine mastitisby using antibiotics.

As a means for protecting the teats of dairy cattle from themastitis-causing bacteria, therefore, there has been proposed an art ofpreventing bacteria and other microorganisms from entering into thebreast through the teat openings.

For instance, a patent document 3 proposes a means of “dipping the teatsin a teat-sealing agent to maintain the teats in a state where a thinfilm is formed on the teats closing the teat openings during the periodof about 2 days to about 9 days in the initial stage of dry period ofcattle when they are liable to be infected with the bovine mastitis andduring the period of about 2 days to about 9 days before the delivery”.By the above means, it is considered that the infection of themastitis-causing bacteria is physically blocked, and the cattle can beprevented from being infected with the bovine mastitis. As thefilm-forming component in the teat-sealing agent, the patent document 3exemplifies rubber materials such as urethane rubber, latex rubber,butadiene rubber, polyvinyl alcohol, liquid butyl rubber, liquid rubber,natural rubber, butyl rubber, nitrile rubber, chloroprene rubber, vinylacetate rubber and the like rubbers. Namely, these rubber materials aredissolved in a solvent such as toluene or xylene, and the teats aredipped in the solution thereof (teat-sealing agent) to form a film ofrubber material on the teats.

However, the film of rubber material formed by the above method cannotfully reliably adhere to the teats and tends to be easily removed fromthe teats. That is, the film of rubber material cannot, in many cases,maintain the teat openings closed during the above period of about 2days to about 9 days during which the infection with themastitis-causing bacteria must be blocked, and improvements have beendesired.

A patent document 4 is proposing a teat protection material for cattle,that comprises a flexible film having water-proof property and a largestretching ratio at breakage and that is fixed by being wrapped roundthe teats.

In fact, however, the teat has a shape that becomes thin toward the teatopening at the end. Even if the above flexible film is wrapped round theteat, therefore, the film, in many cases, cannot be maintained to stayclosely adhered to the teat opening which is the most essential partallowing to form a gap easily between the teat opening and the film.Formation of the gap causes a decrease in the degree of protecting theteat openings, as a matter of course. Moreover, the disease-causingbacteria such as germs may intrude through the gaps and, besides, thefilm is easily removed from the teats.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS Patent Documents

-   Patent document 1: Japanese Patent No. 3404704-   Patent document 2: JP-A-11-155404-   Patent document 3: JP-A-2000-41529-   Patent document 4: JP-A-2006-129795

Outline of the Invention Problems that the Invention is to Solve

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a teatprotection material for protecting the teat openings, that stays closelyadhered to the teat without peeling so as to cover the teat opening forabout half a day in the milking period and for about one week in the dryperiod (e.g., initial stage of dry period and last stage of dry periodbefore the delivery) when the cattle are liable to be easily infectedwith bacteria. Moreover, the present invention provides a teatprotection material for protecting the teat openings, that stays closelyadhered to the teat without peeling for not less than 10 days and,desirably, for about two weeks irrespective of the individual livestockin order to reliably prevent the infection in the dry period.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a teat protectionmaterial for protecting the teat openings, which facilitates the workfor closely adhering the teat protection material to the teats so as tocover the teat openings.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method ofprotecting the teats of livestock by using the protection material.

Means for Solving the Problems

According to the present invention, there is provided a teat openingprotection patch which is stuck to portions inclusive of teat openingsof livestock, including a laminate of an elastic sheet and an adhesivelayer laminated on one surface of the elastic sheet, the laminate havinga double-stretched tensile stress in a range of 0.1 to 5 N.

In the teat opening protection patch of the present invention, it isdesired that:

(1) A removable protection film is laminated on the surface of thelaminate on the side opposite to the adhesive layer, and a parting sheetis stuck to the surface of the adhesive layer;(2) The elastic sheet is formed of a polyurethane; and(3) The elastic sheet is colored.

Further, the teat opening protection patch of the invention can bedivided into the one of the type (α) for sticking to the teat openingand the one of the type (β) for sticking to the side surface of the teatdepending upon the main form of the laminate.

In the teat opening protection patch of the type (α) for sticking to theteat opening, there can be, preferably, employed an embodiment in which:

(1) The circle has a diameter, or the ellipse has a long axis, which is5 to 40 mm and, specifically, 10 to 40 mm in length; and, further, anembodiment in which:(2) The laminate has at least one slit that is stretching from the outercircumferential portion toward the central portion.

In the teat opening protection patch of the type (β) for sticking to theside surface of the teat, further, it is desired that:

(1) The laminate has a line symmetrical planar shape and includes:

a circular or elliptic portion for sticking to the teat opening having,as the center, a point where a vertical line that is an axis of linesymmetry intersects, at right angles thereto, a transverse line thatequally divides a maximum length of the laminate into two in thedirection of the vertical line; and

a plurality of portions for sticking to the side surfaces of the teatand extending outwards from the portion for sticking to the teatopening;

the portion for sticking to the teat opening being exposed to theexterior at a plurality of places interposing at least the vertical lineor the transverse line among them;

(2) The laminate has a planar shape without any corner portion where thestraight lines intersect each other;(3) The diameter of the circle or the long axis of the ellipse formingthe portion for sticking to the teat opening, has a length of 5 to 40 mmand, specifically, 10 to 40 mm;(4) The portions for sticking to the side surfaces of the teat have ashape expanding outwards; and(5) When a rectangular virtual circumscribing quadrilateral is formed onthe planar shape of the laminate, the long side of the circumscribingquadrilateral has a length in a range of 30 to 200 mm while the shortside thereof has a length in a range of 20 to 150 mm.

According to the present invention, further, there is provided a methodof protecting teat openings of livestock by sticking the surface of theteat opening protection patch on the side of the adhesive layer to theteats so as to cover the teat openings of the livestock.

In the above method, it is desired that a sterilizing agent is appliedto the teat openings or is injected into the lactiferous ducts prior tosticking the teat opening protection patch.

Effects of the Invention

The teat opening protection patch of the present invention is used beingstuck to the teats of livestock so as to cover the teat openings througha simple work without involving any cumbersome dipping work such asdipping the teats of livestock in a solution for forming a film.

Moreover, the protection patch (laminate) stuck to the teats not onlyexcellently adheres to the teats but also has a suitable degree ofelasticity, and undergoes the expansion and contraction so as to followthe change in the shape of the teats accompanying the motion of thelivestock. Therefore, the protection patch stuck to the teats is veryunlikely to be removed and is capable of reliably protecting the teatopenings for a predetermined period of time in which it is said that thelivestock can be easily infected with bacteria.

Moreover, the teat opening protection patch is so stuck to the teats asto cover the teat openings but is not fixed by being wound round theteats. Therefore, a sufficient degree of adhesion is secured between theprotection patch and the teat opening which is an end portion of theteat, forming almost no gap between the teat opening and the protectionpatch and, therefore, reliably protecting the teat opening from beinginfected with bacteria.

According to the teat opening protection patch of the present inventionas described above, it is allowed to efficiently prevent the livestocksuch as dairy cattle from infectious diseases such as bovine mastitis.

Moreover, by providing the protection patch with a layer of afunction-imparting agent such as leakage-of-milk checking agent,germicide, moisturizer, or the like (or by blending the adhesive layerwith a function-imparting agent), it becomes possible to impartfunctions to meet the needs of the dairy farmers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 It is a side sectional view of a teat opening protection patch ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 It is a sectional view schematically illustrating, together witha teat, the state of the teat opening protection patch of the presentinvention stuck to the teat.

FIG. 3 It is a view showing a planar shape of the teat openingprotection patch of the type (α).

FIG. 4 It is a view showing a preferred planar shape of the teat openingprotection patch of the type (α).

FIG. 5 It is a view showing a planar shape of the teat openingprotection patch of the type (β).

FIG. 6 It is a view showing a planar shape of the teat openingprotection patch of the type (β).

FIG. 7 It is a view showing a planar shape of the teat openingprotection patch of the type (β).

FIG. 8 It is a view showing a planar shape of the teat openingprotection patch of the type (β).

FIG. 9 It is a view showing a planar shape of the teat openingprotection patch of the type (β).

FIG. 10 It is a view showing a planar shape of the teat openingprotection patch of the type (β).

FIG. 11 It is a sectional view schematically illustrating, together witha teat, the state of the teat opening protection patch of the type (β)stuck to the teat.

FIG. 12 It is a side view of a pseudo teat used for conducting pseudotests in Examples and Comparative Examples of the present invention.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a teat opening protection patch (hereinafter oftencalled simply “teat patch”) of the present invention designatedgenerally at 10 has a laminate designated at 1. The laminate 1 has atwo-layer structure including an elastic sheet 2 and an adhesive layer 3laminated on one whole surface of the elastic sheet 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the teat patch 10 is stuck, via the adhesive layer3, to the teat so as to cover the teat opening. The lactiferous duct isstretching in the teat, and the end (lower end) of the teat is formingthe teat opening where the lactiferous duct is exposed to the exterior.Therefore, the teat opening is covered with the teat patch 10 of thepresent invention to prevent the infection with bacteria through theteat opening.

From the standpoint of protecting the teat opening, therefore, the teatpatch 10 may be constituted by the laminate 1 only. However, aprotection film 5 is usually provided on the other surface of theelastic sheet 2 from the standpoint of handling, and a parting sheet 7is usually stuck to the adhesive layer 3. That is, after the partingsheet 7 is removed, the adhesive layer 3 of the laminate 1 is stuck asshown in FIG. 2. Next, the protection film 5 is removed and, in thisstate, the laminate 1 is fixed to the teat.

(Laminate 1)

In the present invention, it is important that the laminate has adouble-stretched tensile stress in a range of 0.1 to 5 N, specifically,0.2 to 3 N and, most desirably, 0.2 to 1.0 N.

The double-stretched tensile stress is a stress necessary for stretchingthe laminate 1 into twice its length and is measured by using a tensiontester. The stress has no directivity, and the value should lie withinthe above-mentioned range no matter in which direction the laminate isstretched into twice its length.

Described below is the reason why the double-stretched tensile stress isspecified. The laminate 1 having the adhesive layer is often stuck tothe teat being slightly stretched. Even after stuck to the teat,further, the livestock may move around or the size of the teat may vary,and the laminate 1 that has been stuck may often be stretched. By takingthe stretched state into consideration, the stress is specified to bethat of when the laminate 1 is stretched to twice its length. That is,upon specifying the stress of the laminate 1 of when it is stretchedinto twice its length, it is made possible to evaluate the capability ofthe laminate 1 that follows the change in the shape of the teat in astretched state.

That is, the laminate 1 that exhibits the above double-stretched tensilestress means that the laminate 1 has a suitable degree of elasticity,undergoes the expansion or contraction depending on a change in theshape of the teat due to the motion of the livestock, and follows thechange in the shape of the teat. If, for example, the laminate 1 has thedouble-stretched tensile stress that is smaller than the above range,then the laminate 1 stuck to the teat may stretch in excess of itslimit. As a result, the laminate 1 is easily removed from the teat or iseasily broken. Moreover, the laminate 1 becomes so soft that it becomesdifficult to stick it to the teat. If the double-stretched tensilestress is larger than the above range, on the other hand, the laminate 1becomes not capable of contracting to a sufficient degree. For example,if the shape of the teat varies due to the motion of the livestock, thelaminate 1 becomes no longer capable of following the change in theshape of the teat, and also becomes liable to be easily removed from theteat.

It is, further, desired that the laminate 1 has a thickness in a rangeof 11 to 150 μm and a double-stretched tensile stress that lies in theabove-mentioned range. If the thickness is too small, it becomesdifficult to stick the laminate 1 to the teat. Besides, it also becomesdifficult to remove the laminate 1 after the use from the teat. If thethickness is too large, on the other hand, the laminate 1 becomes lesscapable of following the change in the shape of the teat and becomesliable to be removed.

In order for the laminate 1 to become more capable of following thechange in the shape of the teat and to improve the efficiency of thework for sticking the laminate, it is desired that the laminate 1 has atensile modulus elasticity of not more than 1 MPa, specifically, 0.05 tonot more than 0.5 MPa and, most desirably, in a range of 0.05 to 0.3MPa.

(Elastic Sheet 2)

The elastic sheet 2 that constitutes the laminate 1 can be formed byusing an elastic material which, when the adhesive layer 3 is laminatedthereon to form the laminate 1, enables the double-stretched tensilestress to lie in the above-mentioned range.

As the above elastic material, though not limited thereto only, therecan be exemplified olefin elastomer, styrene elastomer, vinyl acetateelastomer, soft vinyl chloride elastomer and urethane elastomer. Amongthese elastomers, the polyurethane is particularly desired since itremains excellently adhered to the protection film 5 that will bedescribed later, and enables its property to be so adjusted that thedouble-stretched tensile stress can be obtained lying in theabove-mentioned range. That is, to ensure the double-stretched tensilestress that lies within a predetermined range, the polymer may besuitably adjusted, i.e., the monomer composition (copolymerizing ratio),crystallinity, molecular weights, content of the plasticizer, etc. maybe adjusted to lie in suitable ranges and, besides, the thickness of thesheet may be adjusted depending on the properties. Upon adjusting thedouble-stretched tensile stress by adjusting the properties and thethickness, it is made possible to form the elastic sheet 2 by using thepolyurethane so as to exhibit a predetermined double-stretched tensilestress without the need of excessively decreasing the thickness. Forinstance, to attain the double-stretched tensile stress that lies in apredetermined range with the thickness of the laminate 1 lying in theabove-mentioned range, it is most desired that the elastic sheet 2 isformed by using the polyurethane. The elastic sheet 2 formed by usingthe polyurethane is also advantageous from the standpoint of directlyadhering and fixing the protection film 5 that will be described laterwithout using any particular adhesive.

Moreover, use of the polyurethane elastic sheet 2 brings about thefollowing advantage. Namely, the elastic sheet 2 is on the outermostsurface of the laminate 1 that is stuck to the teat, and is adhesive byitself. Therefore, the surfaces of the elastic sheet 2 easily adhere toeach other. Even in case the laminate 1 is floated or wrinkled,therefore, the floated wrinkled portion of the elastic sheet 2 can bepressed and adhered to a portion of the elastic sheet 2 that is closelyadhered to the teat. Thus the two firmly adhere to each other to reducethe degree of floating wrinkling. As a result, it is considered that theelastic sheet 2 becomes less liable to be removed from the teat.

It is desired that the elastic sheet 2 has a thickness in a range of,usually, 10 to 100 μm. This is because the thickness of the laminate 1on which the adhesive layer 3 that will be described later is laminatedhas been set to lie in the above-mentioned range (11 to 150 μm) and theadhesive layer 3 has a small thickness.

It is, further, desired that the elastic sheet 2 has been colored. Uponbeing colored, the laminate 1 that is stuck can be easily confirmed evenin a dark cowshed facilitating the work for sticking and confirmationthereof.

Moreover, upon coloring the elastic sheet 2 and upon providing aplurality of the laminates 1 having elastic sheets 2 of differentcolors, the laminates 1 can be used in various manners as describedbelow. Namely, each cattle has, usually, four teats. Here, upon changingthe color of the laminate 1 that is to be stuck to the teat that appearsto be infected with bacteria and needs treatment from the color of thelaminate 1 to be stuck to the normal teats, the diseased teat can betreated efficiently. It is, further, allowable to change the color ofthe laminates 1 to be stuck to the teats depending on the livestock thatappear to require treatment and the healthy livestock.

Moreover, upon changing the color of the laminate 1 depending on the dayit was stuck to the teats of the livestock, it becomes easy to know howmany days have passed after the livestock such as dairy cattle haveentered the dry period.

Namely, use of the colored laminates 1 makes it possible to know theconditions of the individual livestock.

Here, it is desired that the elastic sheet 2, if it is colored, isformed in a two-layer structure including a colored layer and anuncolored layer to improve adhesiveness to the protection film 5 thatwill be described later, and adhere and fix the protection film 5 ontothe uncolored layer.

(Adhesive Layer 3)

The adhesive layer 3 is laminated on one surface of the elastic sheet 2,and serves as the surface to be stuck to the teats.

The adhesive layer 3 can be formed by using a known adhesive agent thatadheres not only to the elastic sheet 2 but also to the teats, and thatcan be quickly removed from the teats after the use.

The adhesive agent has been used for sticking plasters, and includesthose of the types of rubber, acrylic, silicone and urethane. It is,however, desired to use, specifically, an adhesive agent of the(meth)acrylate type from such a standpoint that it is safe for the teatsof livestock and does not develop rash.

The adhesive layer 3 has a thickness large enough to ensure a sufficientdegree of adhesiveness to the teats. However, under the condition thatthe laminate 1 has a thickness (total thickness of the elastic sheet 2and the adhesive layer 3) in the above-mentioned range of 11 to 150 μm,usually it is desired that the adhesive layer 3 has a thickness of about1 to about 50 μm.

(Protection Film 5)

The protection film 5 is laminated on the other surface of the elasticsheet 2 in order to prevent the deformation of the elastic sheet 2during the storage, and to facilitate the sticking work by preventingthe elastic sheet 2 from adhering to each other during the work ofsticking.

That is, to use the teat patch 10 of the present invention, the partingsheet 7 is removed from the adhesive layer 3. The adhesive layer 3 isthen at least partly stuck to the teat in a state where the protectionfilm 5 has not yet been removed. In this state, the protection film 5 isremoved from the laminate 1 (elastic sheet 2). Next, the adhesive layer3 as a whole is adhered and fixed to the teat by being pushed by hand.Here, depending on the size of the laminate 1, the adhesive layer 3 as awhole is stuck to the teat and, thereafter, the protection film 5 isremoved from the laminate 1.

Therefore, the protection film 5 must be stiff and must have a tensilemodulus of elasticity larger than that of the elastic sheet 2. From sucha point of view, as the protection film 5, there can be used a varietyof thermoplastic resin films, for example, polyester films such as ofpolyethylene terephthalate (PET) or olefin resin films such as ofpolyethylene, polypropylene, etc. However, among them, a film havingtransparency can be favorably used since it enables the presence of theelastic sheet 2 (laminate 1) to be recognized. As the protection film 5,therefore, there can be particularly preferably used a polypropylenefilm and a polyester film because of their excellent transparency. Thefilm may be any one of an unstretched film, a monoaxially stretched filmor a biaxially stretched film.

The protection film 5 can also be laminated on the elastic sheet 2 byusing an adhesive. In this case, however, the protection film 5 must beremoved from the laminate 1 in a state where the adhesive layer 3remains adhered to the teat, i.e., without causing the adhesive layer 3to be removed from the teat. If the protection film 5 is laminated onthe elastic sheet 2 by using the adhesive, therefore, it becomesnecessary to adjust the adhering force. It is, therefore, desired thatthe protection film 5 is directly stuck to the elastic sheet 2 withoutusing the adhesive from such a standpoint that there is no need ofadjusting the adhering force. From the standpoint of directly stickingthe protection film 5 to the elastic sheet 2, further, it is desiredthat the protection film 5 is, preferably, the above-mentioned polyesterfilm such as of PET or the olefin resin film such as of polypropylene.The protection film 5 may have been treated for its surfaces by coronatreatment, etc., or may not have been treated for its surfaces. Thesurface treatment may be suitably executed by taking into considerationthe adhesiveness to the elastic sheet 2.

As described above, it is desired that the protection film 5 has beenjoined to the elastic sheet 2 without using any adhesive. Moreover, itis desired that a portion 5 a of the protection film 5 extending beyondthe elastic sheet 2 is joined to the parting sheet 7 that will bedescribed later in detail without using any adhesive. To stick thelaminate 1 to the teat, first, the parting sheet 7 that will bedescribed later in detail is removed, and the adhesive layer 3 is stuckdirectly to the teat. Thereafter, the protection film 5 is removed.Here, the protection film 5 applied with no adhesive can be easilyremoved facilitating the operability free from such an occurrence thatthe protection film 5 adheres to the hand or the like.

The protection film 5 may have a suitable thickness that does not hinderthe work for removing it from the elastic sheet 2. From the standpointof facilitating the removing work, however, it is desired that theprotection film 5 has a size slightly larger than the elastic sheet 2 asshown in FIG. 1. That is, the portion 5 a extending beyond the elasticsheet 2 is nipped and thus the protection film 5 is easily removed. Forthis purpose, the thickness of the protection film 5 may be determinedby taking the thickness of the elastic sheet 2 into account. Inpractice, however, from the standpoint of operability, the thickness is,desirably, not less than 30 μm and, more desirably, not less than 40 μm.Though there is no specific upper limitation on the thickness of theprotection film 5, the upper-limit thickness is 300 μm from thestandpoint of operability and economy.

(Parting Sheet 7)

The parting sheet 7 is for preventing the adhesive layer 3 from adheringto each other during the production or during the storage, and isremoved at the time of work for sticking to the teats.

Therefore, the parting sheet 7 may be the one that is held by theadhesive layer 3 when not in use and is easily removable. Namely, theparting sheet 7 is a parting paper such as silicone paper.

In order to reliably cover the adhesive layer 3, the parting sheet 7 isslightly larger than the adhesive layer 3. To facilitate the removingwork, however, it is desired that the parting sheet 7 has a cutting line7 a formed at the central portion thereof as shown in FIG. 1 so as to becompletely divided at the central portion. Namely, being completelydivided at the central portion, the separating sheet 7 can be stuck in amanner as described below. First, the parting sheet 7 on one side isremoved from the laminate 1 (that has the protection film 5), and theadhesive layer 3 of a portion from where it is removed is stuck to theteat. Next, the parting sheet 7 on the other side is removed from thelaminate 1 (that has the protection film 5), and the adhesive layer 3 ofa portion from where it is removed is stuck to the teat. The laminate 1can thus be stuck through a plurality of steps. If the parting sheet 7is all removed in one time of operation, then it becomes highly probablethat the adhesive layer 3 adheres to each other due to the movement ofthe livestock. By sticking the laminate 1 through a plurality of steps,however, the probability of adhesion between the adhesive layers 3 canbe decreased. The sticking method through the plurality of steps isparticularly suited when there is used the laminate 1 of the presentinvention that employs the soft elastic sheet 2.

When the operation is conducted through the plurality of steps, too, theprotection film 5 can be easily removed if the protection film 5 has noadhesive, and the operation can be further facilitated.

(Functionality of the Laminate)

The teat patch 10 of the present invention having the above-mentionedstructure may be provided with predetermined functions by using suchagents as sterilizer, moisturizer, leakage-of-milk checking agent,repellent and the like agents.

The above agents may be contained in the elastic sheet 2 or the adhesivelayer 3 so far as they do not impair the functions of the elastic sheet2 or the adhesive layer 3, may be applied on the surface of the elasticsheet 2 or the adhesive layer 3, or may be applied in an interfacebetween the elastic sheet 2 and the adhesive layer 3 since the adhesivelayer 3 has bleeding property.

As the sterilizer, there can be exemplified iodine compounds; metalssuch as silver, copper, zinc, titanium and iron and metal salts thereof;tea leaves powder; cypress powder; chitosan; benzalkonium chloride;benzethonium chloride; fatty acid esters such as monoglyceridecaprylate; as well as triclosan, isopropylmethylphenol, cetyl pyridiniumchloride, resorcin, trichlorocarbanide, Halocarban, Chlorhexidine,Chlorhexidine chloride, Chlorhexidine glyconate, Acrinol, sodiumhypochlorite and hydrogen peroxide. Among them, the iodine compounds andsilver are preferred from the standpoint of not causing skin irritationto human and livestock, sustenance of sterilizing effect and cost.

As the iodine compound, there can be exemplified iodine, povidoneiodine, sodium iodate, potassium iodate, sodium iodide, potassium iodideand iodoform.

As the moisturizer, there can be exemplified polyhydric alcohols such asvaseline, glycerin, propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol and sorbitol;pyrrolidone carboxylate; lactate; natural moisturizing components suchas urea or sodium hyaluronate.

As the leakage-of-milk checking agent, there can be used a generalreagent that develops a color upon reacting with proteins or sugars. Thefunction-imparting agent layer may be any one of the sterilizing agent,moisturizer or leakage-of-milk checking agent, or may be comprised of aplurality of them.

The repellent is a so-called insecticide, and is a component stemmingfrom a natural substance such as eucalyptus oil, chrysanthemumic acid orcitronella, a natural pyrethroid such a pyrethrin, or is a syntheticpyrethroid such as allethrin.

The repellant is, usually, applied onto the surface of the elastic sheet2 (surface on the side opposite to the adhesive layer 3). By using therepellent, the teats can be protected from such insects as horsefly andbees that are harmful to the cattle.

(Method of Protecting the Teats by Using the Teat Patch 10)

To use the above-mentioned teat patch 10 of the present invention, theparting sheet 7 and the protection film 5 are removed and then, as shownin FIG. 2, the laminate 1 is stuck via the adhesive layer 3 so as tocover the teat opening. This protects the teat opening, prevents theinfection with bacteria through the teat opening, and prevents diseasessuch as bovine mastitis.

Prior to sticking the laminate 1 to the teats, it is also allowable toemploy such means as applying the above-mentioned sterilizing agent ontothe teat openings or inject the sterilizing agent into the lactiferousducts.

(Form of the Laminate 1)

It was mentioned already that the above-mentioned teat patch 10 of theinvention can be classified into the one of the type (α) for sticking tothe teat openings and the one of the type (β) for sticking to the sidesurfaces of the teats depending on the form (planar shape) of thelaminate 1.

Type (α) for Sticking to the Teat Openings;

The teat patch 10 of the type (α) for sticking to the teat openings hasthe laminate 1 of a circular planar shape (see FIG. 3 (a)) or anelliptic planar shape (FIG. 3 (b)). The laminate 1 includes the elasticsheet 2 and the adhesive layer 3 as described above. Further, thelaminate 1 is sold with the protection film 5 being laminated on theelastic sheet 2 and with the parting sheet 7 being stuck to the adhesivelayer 3.

The laminate 1 has the least required size for completely covering theteat openings (see FIG. 3) and assumes the simplest form. As a result,in a state of being stuck to the teat, the laminate 1 has an advantageof being little wrinkled.

For instance, the laminate 1 has a diameter d of a circle or a long axisd of an ellipse, which is 5 to 40 mm in length and, specifically, 10 to40 mm in length. In the case of the ellipse, further, it is desired thatthe length of the short axis d′ thereof is about 50 to 90% the length ofthe long axis d. In terms of the absolute value, it is desired that thelength of the short axis d′ is not less than 2.5 mm and, more desirably,not less than 4 mm.

As shown in FIG. 4, further, it is desired that the teat patch 10 of thetype (α) for sticking to the teat openings is provided with slits 13.The slits 13 are provided in a plural number (usually, about 2 to about4) each stretching toward the center of the circle or the ellipse.Therefore, though the area for sticking to the side surface of the teatis small, the teat patch 10 is allowed to highly follow up the change inthe shape of the teat. Moreover, the elastic sheet 2 can be easilyturned up facilitating the operation for sticking to the teats as wellas the work for removing from the teats.

The size of the slits 13 should be such that the teat opening is notexposed through the slits 13 when the laminate 1 is stuck to the teat.For instance, the size of the slits 13 should be, preferably, about 10to about 40% of the diameter d of the circle or of the long axis d ofthe ellipse.

Furthermore, in order that the adhesive force to the teat will not bedecreased by the formation of the slits 13, it is desired that the slitseach have a suitable size (area). Moreover, in order that there is nodifference in the adhesive force to the teats, it is desired that theplurality of slits 13 are symmetrically arranged.

FIG. 4 has shown an embodiment in which the circular laminate 1 wasprovided with the slits 13. It should, however, be noted that the slits13 can also be formed in the elliptical laminate 1, too.

Type (β) for Sticking to the Side Surfaces of the Teats;

The teat patch 10 of the type (β) for sticking to the side surfaces ofthe teats has the laminate 1 which as a whole is of a non-circularplanar shape or a non-elliptical planar shape. A representative planarshape thereof is shown in FIG. 5.

As will be understood from FIG. 5, the laminate 1 has a circular orelliptic teat opening-sticking portion 21 as shown in FIG. 4 above and,further, has teat side surface-sticking portions 23 (hereinafter simplyreferred to as side surface-sticking portions) that are stretchingoutward from the teat opening-sticking portion 21.

In FIG. 5 and other drawings that will be referred to later, the teatopening-sticking portion 21 located at the center and the sidesurface-sticking portions 23 are represented by using different hatchedlines. However, this is for simply and easily drawing the figures. Inpractice, therefore, the teat opening-sticking portion 21 and the sidesurface-sticking portions 23 have not been clearly divided; i.e., theyshould be recognized from the entire shape of the laminate 1.

The laminate 1 has the side surface-sticking portions 23 that areextending outward from the teat opening-sticking portion 21. Therefore,the laminate 1 can be firmly adhered and fixed even to the side surfacesof the teat, is capable of following up the change in the shape of theteat, and its removal from the teat is reliably prevented.

Further, the laminate 1 from which the parting sheet 7 is removed isstuck at its teat opening-sticking portion 21 to the teat opening. Inthis state, while removing the protection film 5, the sidesurface-sticking portions 23 are folded and are adhered and fixed to theside surfaces of the teat. Therefore, the laminate 1 can be favorablystuck to the teat.

In the laminate 1 shown in FIG. 5, it is desired that the diameter ofthe circle or the long axis of the ellipse forming the teatopening-sticking portion 21 has a length of 5 to 40 mm and,specifically, 10 to 40 mm like that of the above-mentioned type shown inFIG. 4. That is, upon forming the teat opening-sticking portion 21 inthis size, the teat opening can be reliably covered and protected. Itis, here, desired that the teat opening-sticking portion 21 has the sameshape as that of the type (α) for sticking to the teat opening.

It is desired that the laminate 1 is forming the side surface-stickingportions 23 in a plural number and, further, has a line symmetricalplanar shape. The laminate 1 of this shape can be uniformly stuck withthe teat opening as a center.

In the above planar shape, the circle (or ellipse) forming the teatopening-sticking portion 21 has its center O at a point where a verticalline X that is an axis of line symmetry intersects, at right anglesthereto, a transverse line Y that equally divides a maximum length ofthe laminate 1 into two in the direction of the vertical line. In theinvention, it is desired that the side surface-sticking portions 23 areso formed that the teat opening-sticking portion 21 is exposed to theexterior at a plurality of places interposing at least the vertical lineX or the transverse line Y among them.

Namely, forming the side surface-sticking portions 23 in a manner asdescribed above has a meaning in that a suitable gap is formed among theneighboring side surface-sticking portions 23, and that the neighboringside surface-sticking portions 23 are so folded as will not stick toeach other, facilitating the operation for sticking.

In the invention as will be understood from the laminate 1 of the formshown in FIG. 5, further, it is desired that the laminate 1 is of a formthat has no corner portion where the straight lines intersect eachother. For instance, the side surface-sticking portions 23 may have arectangular shape. Even in such a case, however, the corner portionsshould be in a round shape free of sharpened portions. When stuck to theteat, the sharpened portions could be very easily turned up and removed.

Moreover, at least one of, and, desirably, all of the plurality of sidesurface-sticking portions 23 should have a shape that is becomingentirely widened outward. This increases the area of a portion that isadhered and fixed to the side surface of the teat. Besides, depending onthe size of the side surface-sticking portions 23, the teat patch 10 canbe adhered and fixed in a manner of completely covering the whole sidesurfaces of the teat. When the side surface-sticking portions are foldedalong the side surfaces of the teat, further, the teat patch 10 can befirmly fixed to the side surfaces of the teat in such a manner that theside surface-sticking portions 23 are overlapped one upon the other.

In the invention, the laminate 1 can be formed in a rectangular virtualcircumscribing quadrilateral shape (denoted by Q in FIG. 5). As will beunderstood from FIG. 5, the virtual circumscribing quadrilateral Q hasits each side circumscribing the laminate 1. Here it is desired that thelong side Q1 thereof has a length in a range of 30 to 200 mm and, morepreferably, 50 to 150 mm while the short side Q2 thereof has a length ina range of 20 to 150 mm and, more preferably, 30 to 100 mm. In short, itis most desired that the teat opening-sticking portion 21 and the teatside surface-sticking portions 23 have such sizes and shapes that enablethe laminate 1 to form the virtual circumscribing quadrilateral Q of theabove-mentioned size. Here, the long side Q1 and the short side Q2 mayassume an equal length, as a matter of course.

That is, forming the virtual circumscribing quadrilateral Q of theabove-mentioned size has a meaning in that the teat patch 10 is not theone that is adhered and fixed by being wound round the side surfaces ofthe teat but is the one that is adhered and fixed with its sidesurface-sticking portions being folded, adhered and fixed to the sidesurfaces of the teat in a state where the teat opening-sticking portion21 is stuck to the teat opening. The teat patch 10 of the type that isfixed by being wound round becomes inevitably long, and is not capableof forming the virtual circumscribing quadrilateral Q of theabove-mentioned size.

The teat protection patch 10 having the above shape of the presentinvention is not fixed by being wound round the side surfaces of theteat. Therefore, the protection patch 10 is little wrinkled at theportion that is stuck to the teat opening and, therefore, effectivelysuppresses the formation of a gap between the teat opening and thelaminate 1 (adhesive layer 3) to reliably protect the teat opening.

The laminate 1 of the type (β) for sticking to the teat side surfaces isnot limited to the one of the form shown in FIG. 5 but may assume avariety of forms so far as it satisfies the above-mentionedpredetermined conditions such as line symmetry and the like. Embodimentsof such other forms are shown in FIGS. 6 to 10.

The laminate 1 shown in FIG. 5 has, for example, a dumbbell shape as awhole, and includes two side surface-sticking portions 23 which are soformed as to face each other along the direction of a vertical line Xwhich is a line symmetrical axis.

On the other hand, the laminate 1 shown in FIG. 6 has the form of apetal as a whole, and is forming three side surface-sticking portions 23of the same shape.

The laminate 1 shown in FIG. 7, too, has the form of a petal as a whole.In this case, however, there are formed four side surface-stickingportions 23 of the same shape, which are point symmetrical as a whole.

The laminate 1 shown in FIG. 8 has the teat opening-sticking portion 21of an elliptic shape, two large side surface-sticking portions 23 a, andtwo small side surface-sticking portions 23 b.

The laminate 1 shown in FIG. 9 has the shape of an anchor as a whole,and has side surface-sticking portions 23 b extending in a rectangularshape and a large flaring side surface-sticking portion 23 a at aposition opposed to the side surface-sticking portions 23 b.

The laminate 1 shown in FIG. 10 has the shape of a letter H as a whole,and is forming the teat opening-sticking portion 21 of a circular shapeat the center, as well as along transverse line Y two sidesurface-sticking portions 23 of nearly a rectangular shape at positionsfacing each other.

In the laminates 1 of the shapes shown in FIGS. 6 to 10, too, as amatter of course, it is desired that the rectangular virtualcircumscribing quadrilaterals (denoted by Q in FIGS. 6 to 10) have theirlong sizes Q1 whose lengths are in a range of 30 to 200 mm and shortsizes Q2 whose lengths are in a range of 20 to 100 mm.

It will be understood that any laminates 1 of FIGS. 5 to 10 are, atleast, line symmetrical, are forming predetermined virtualcircumscribing quadrilaterals Q, but are not quite forming any sharpcorner portions where straight lines intersect each other.

The number and size of the side surface-sticking portions 23 aresuitably set in a range in which the above virtual circumscribingquadrilateral Q can be formed in a predetermined size to facilitate thework of sticking as well as the work of removal from the teats after thepassage of a predetermined period of protection time.

In the patch of the type (β) for sticking to the teat side surfacesshown in FIGS. 5 to 10, furthermore, if the area of the rectangularvirtual circumscribing quadrilateral Q is presumed to be 100%, then thearea of the laminate 1 is, desirably, 40 to 98% thereof. As the area ofthe laminate 1 approaches 100%, the shape thereof approaches therectangular circumscribing quadrilateral Q. Upon satisfying the arearequirement of the laminate 1, it is made possible to improve theworkability and to suppress the occurrence of float wrinkles of thelaminate 1 after it has been stuck. To further improve the workabilityand to maintain the laminate 1 in a further improved state after it hasbeen stuck, it is desired that if the area of the rectangular virtualcircumferential quadrilateral Q is presumed to be 100%, then the area ofthe laminate is 55 to 95% and, most desirably, is 55 to 80%.

Though FIGS. 5 to 10 are showing only representative examples, thelaminate 1 of the type (β) for sticking to the teat side surfaces can bemaintained closely adhered to the teats without being removed for notless than 10 days and, preferably, for about two weeks irrespective ofthe individual livestock to reliably protect the teat openings. As aresult, for example, the cattle can be reliably prevented from beinginfected in the dry period.

As shown, for example, in FIG. 11, the protection patch 10 (laminate 1)is adhered and fixed to the teat opening in a manner that the teatopening-sticking portion 21 covers the teat opening, while the sidesurface-sticking portions 23 are folded and are adhered and fixed to theside surfaces of the teat. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 11, the protectionpatch 10 may have the side surface-sticking portions 23 of a widelyspreading form. In this case, the side surface-sticking portions 23 canbe overlapped as designated at 25 on the side surface of the teat, andcan be firmly adhered and fixed to the side surface of the teat. Theoverlapped portion 25 has a maximum width L which may vary depending onthe size and shape of the teat, and cannot be exclusively specified. Toattain favorable operability, to secure improved adhesion and to reducewrinkles, however, the maximum width L should, preferably, be not lessthan 2 mm but not more than 45 mm, more preferably, not less than 3 mmbut not more than 30 mm, and, further preferably, not less than 3 mm butnot more than 15 mm. In sticking the laminate 1 onto the teats, theoverlapped portion 25 can be formed by slightly stretching the laminate1 while sticking it.

EXAMPLES

The present invention will now be described by way of Examples to whichonly, however, the invention is in no way limited.

In Examples and Comparative Examples, measurements were taken relyingupon the methods that are described below.

<Measuring the Double-Stretched Tensile Stress>

As the measuring apparatus, there was used a tension tester (Model; EZTest/EZ-SX) manufactured by Shimazu Mfg. Co.

In compliance with the JIS K7127: 1999, a test piece of the laminate wasmeasured for its tensile stress when stretched to twice its length andfor its tensile modulus of elasticity under the conditions of aninter-chuck distance of 20 mm, a tension speed of 50 mm/min. and asample width (width of laminate) of 20 mm.

Here, since the laminate possessed the adhesive layer, two pieces oflaminates were stuck together via their adhesive layers, and a halfvalue of the tensile stress when stretched twice their length wasregarded as a tensile stress of a piece of the laminate.

<Testing the Sticking to the Pseudo Teat>

A nipple (made of a natural rubber) for a feeding bucket shown in FIG.12 was used as a pseudo teat. A teat opening protection patch preparedby the above-mentioned method was stuck to the end of the pseudo teat.The protection patch was evaluated with the eye for its wrinkled stateon the teat opening immediately after it was stuck and after it has beenstuck (after 7 days have passed).

In FIG. 12, numerals are in millimeters.

<Counting the Number of Bacteria Using the Pseudo Teat>

The teat opening protection patch was stuck to the end of the pseudoteat as described above. After 7 days have passed, the end of the pseudoteat opening was dipped for about 10 seconds in a soil-like materialthat had been used as a bedding in a cowhouse of a dairy farmer.

Thereafter, the teat opening protection patch that is a sample wascarefully removed so that the end of the pseudo teat was notcontaminated. An applicator (Promedia ST-25, produced by Elmex Co.) wasused to wipe out about 1 cm² of a portion that corresponded to the teatopening to where the teat opening protection patch had been stuck. Theapplicator was dipped in 10 mL of a physiological saline solution.

One milliliter of the above solution was dropped on a culture ground(culture ground for aerobic bacterial, 6400AC, produced by 3M Co.) andwas cultivated at 37° C. for 48 hours. After cultivated, the number ofcolonies in the culture ground was counted. Presuming that each bacteriaformed each colony, the number of bacteria in 10 mL of the physiologicalsaline solution was calculated from the number of colonies according tothe following formula,

Number of colonies×10=number of bacteria

The numbers of bacteria that were found were evaluated on the followingbasis. In general, if the number of bacteria is less than 1000bacteria/cm², then it can be judged that the teat opening is maintainedclean. The results were judged on the following basis.

-   -   ⊚: The number of bacteria was less than 100 bacteria/cm². The        number of bacteria was very small, and the interior of the patch        was maintained very clean.    -   ◯: The number of bacteria was not less than 100 bacteria/cm² but        is less than 1000 bacteria/cm².        -   The number of bacteria was small, and the interior of the            patch was maintained clean.    -   Δ: The number of bacteria was not less than 1000 bacteria/cm²        but was less than 10000 bacteria/cm².        -   The number of bacteria was slightly large but was smaller            than the number of the external bacteria.    -   X: The number of bacteria was not less than 10000 bacteria/cm².        The number of bacteria was so large that the effect for        controlling the bacteria by using the patch could not be        confirmed.

Here, the number of external bacteria (number of bacteria in the soil)was subject to vary but was roughly not less than 10000 bacteria/cm².

<Evaluating the Sustenance of Adhesion of Patches to the Real DairyCattle>

Three Holstein dairy cattle were used. The sample protection patches(laminates) were stuck as shown in FIG. 2 to the ends (teat openings) offour teats of each dairy cattle, and the sustenance of adhesion wasevaluated.

The three Holstein dairy cattle tested this time were all in the dryseason. By taking differences depending on the individual dairy cattleinto consideration, furthermore, the dairy cattle to which theprotection patches were to be stuck were replaced after 7 days havepassed, and the sustenance of adhesion was evaluated. Here, prior tosticking the protection patches, foul and sebum adhered to the ends ofthe teats were wiped out with a wet tissue paper.

The state the protection patches remained adhered was evaluated in fourstages on the following basis.

-   -   3: The protection patches were not removed or were not floating        from the teats.    -   2: The edges of the protection patches were floating.    -   1: The edges of the protection patches were completely removed.    -   0: The protection patches as a whole were completely removed.

<Laminate>

In Examples and Comparative Examples, the laminates A, B and C shown inTable 1 below were used as the protection patches.

The adhesive layers of the laminates A, B and C were all formed by usingan acrylic adhesive agent.

TABLE 1 Thickness of Thickness of Double-stretched Tensile moduluselastic sheet Adhesive adhesive layer tensile stress of elasticityElastic sheet (μm) agent (μm) (N) (MPa) Laminate A urethane 15 acrylic10 0.5 0.1 adhesive Laminate B urethane 60 acrylic 10 2 0.1 adhesiveLaminate C polyethylene 15 acrylic 10 10 4.8 adhesive

<Experiment 1>

The following experiments were conducted in order to evaluate the teatpatches of the type (α).

Example 1-1

The laminate A shown in Table 1 was cut to prepare a teat openingprotection patch (type (α)) of a diameter d of 15 mm.

The teat patch was stuck to the pseudo teat to test its stickiness tothe teat. However, no wrinkle was observed either just after it wasstuck or after it has been stuck (after 7 days have passed). Further,the number of bacteria on the pseudo teat was counted based on theabove-mentioned method. The results were as shown in Table 2.

Sustenance of patch adhesion was also evaluated by using the real dairycattle. The results were as shown in Table 3.

For comparison, the laminate A was cut into a circle 50 mm in diameterand was stuck to the pseudo teat. Wrinkles developed to a slight degreeat the curved portions stuck to the teat. The wrinkles, however,disappeared after the elastic sheet 2 of the outermost layer was adheredtogether.

Example 1-2

The circular laminate prepared in Example 1-1 was cut to form slits atfour places as shown in FIG. 4 to prepare a teat patch (type (α)). Theslits were each 2 mm in length and 1 mm in width, and were arranged atan equal interval. By using the pseudo teat, the thus obtained teatpatch was tested for its stickiness and was counted for the number ofbacteria. The results were as shown in Table 2.

Example 1-3

A teat patch was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1-1 but usingthe laminate B. By using the pseudo teat, the teat patch was tested forits stickiness and was counted for the number of bacteria on the pseudoteat. The results were as shown in Table 2.

Example 1-4

A circular teat patch (type (α)) 30 mm in diameter was prepared bycutting the laminate A. In other respects, the teat patch was stuck tothe pseudo teat and was counted for the number of bacteria on the pseudoteat in the same manner as in Example 1-1. The results were as shown inTable 2.

Comparative Example 1-1

A teat patch was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1-1 but usingthe laminate C. By using the pseudo teat, the teat patch was tested forits stickiness and was counted for the number of bacteria on the pseudoteat. The results were as shown in Table 2.

Sustenance of patch adhesion was also evaluated by using the real dairycattle. The results were as shown in Table 3.

TABLE 2 Adhesion to the pseudo teat Immediately 7 Days Number ofLaminate Shape of patch after stuck after stuck bacteria Example 1-1Laminate A circle, diameter no wrinkle no wrinkle ⊚ d = 15 mm Example1-2 Laminate A circle, diameter no wrinkle no wrinkle ⊚ d = 15 mm, 4slits, each 2 mm long, 1 mm wide Example 1-3 Laminate B circle, diameterno wrinkle wrinkled to ◯ d = 15 mm some extent Example 1-4 Laminate Acircle, diameter no wrinkle no wrinkle ⊚ d = 30 mm Comparative LaminateC circle, diameter no wrinkle edges Δ Example 1-1 d = 15 mm floated

TABLE 3 State of adhesion of teat patch Dairy Teat Immediately 1 day 2days 3 days 5 days 7 days Laminate cattle position after stuck afterafter after after after Example 1-1 laminate A dairy right front 3 3 3 33 3 cattle right rear 3 3 3 3 3 2 1 left front 3 3 3 3 3 3 left rear 3 33 3 2 2 dairy right front 3 3 3 3 3 2 cattle right rear 3 3 3 3 3 2 2left front 3 3 3 3 3 3 left rear 3 3 3 3 3 2 Comparative laminate Cdairy right front 3 3 2 0 0 0 Example 1-1 cattle right rear 3 2 2 1 0 01 left front 3 3 3 0 0 0 left rear 3 2 0 0 0 0 dairy right front 3 2 2 00 0 cattle right rear 3 3 2 1 0 0 2 left front 3 3 2 1 0 0 left rear 3 31 0 0 0

<Experiment 2>

The following experiments were conducted in order to evaluate the teatpatches of the type (β).

Example 2-1

A line symmetrical teat patch shown in FIG. 5 was prepared by using thelaminate A shown in Table 1. The circular teat opening-sticking portion21 possessed a diameter d of 25 mm, and the virtual circumscribingquadrilateral possessed a long side Q1 of a length of 80 mm and a shortside Q2 of a length of 55 mm. If the area of the virtual circumscribingquadrilateral Q was presumed to be 100%, then the area of the laminate Awas 77%.

The teat patch was stuck to the pseudo teat in a manner as shown in FIG.11, and was tested for its stickiness to the pseudo teat in the samemanner as in Example 1-1. The results were as shown in Table 4. Whenstuck to the pseudo teat as shown in FIG. 11, a maximum width of theoverlapping portion 25 was about 8 mm.

Sustenance of patch adhesion was also evaluated by using the real dairycattle. The results were as shown in Table 5.

In the test for evaluating the sustenance of patch adhesion, the patchescould be very easily stuck to the teats.

With the sticking workability in Example 2-1 as a reference, thesticking workability in other Examples was also evaluated on thefollowing basis.

-   -   ⊚: The sticking work could be conducted just as easily as in        Example 2-1.    -   ◯: The sticking work could be conducted without any problem but        not as easily as in Example 2-1.    -   Δ: The patch could be stuck to the teat without any problem but        could be stuck to the side surfaces of the teat involving        difficulty.

For comparison, the length of the maximum width (short side Q2) of theside surface-sticking portions 23 was decreased a little so that whenthe patch was stuck to the pseudo teat as shown in FIG. 11, there wasformed no overlapping portion 25 but a gap of about 7 mm was formedbetween the side surface-sticking portions 23. By using the real dairycattle, the protection patches were evaluated for the sustenance ofadhesion and it was learned that after the passage of 7 days, thepatches started separating away from the teats.

Example 2-2

A teat patch of the shape shown in FIG. 6 was prepared by using thelaminate A shown in Table 1. The circular teat opening-sticking portion21 possessed a diameter d of 20 mm, and the virtual circumscribingquadrilateral possessed a long side Q1 of a length of 90 mm and a shortside Q2 of a length of 80 mm. If the area of the virtual circumscribingquadrilateral Q was presumed to be 100%, then the area of the laminate Awas 62%.

The side surface-sticking portions 23 possessed a maximum width w of 45mm.

The teat patch was stuck to the pseudo teat in a manner as shown in FIG.11, and was tested for its stickiness to the pseudo teat and was,further, evaluated for its sustenance of adhesion by using the realdairy cattle in the same manner as in Example 2-1. The results were asshown in Tables 4 and 5.

When stuck to the pseudo teat as shown in FIG. 11, a maximum width ofthe overlapping portion 25 was about 13 mm.

Example 2-3

A teat patch of the shape shown in FIG. 7 was prepared by using thelaminate A shown in Table 1. The circular teat opening-sticking portion21 possessed a diameter d of 20 mm, and the virtual circumscribingquadrilateral possessed a long side Q1 of a length of 90 mm and a shortside Q2 of a length of 90 mm. If the area of the virtual circumscribingquadrilateral Q was presumed to be 100%, then the area of the laminate Awas 67%.

The side surface-sticking portions 23 possessed a maximum width w of 45mm.

The teat patch was stuck to the pseudo teat in a manner as shown in FIG.11, and was tested for its stickiness to the pseudo teat and was,further, evaluated for its sustenance of adhesion by using the realdairy cattle in the same manner as in Example 2-1. The results were asshown in Tables 4 and 5.

When stuck to the pseudo teat as shown in FIG. 11, a maximum width ofthe overlapping portion 25 was about 11 mm.

Example 2-4

A teat patch of the shape shown in FIG. 8 was prepared by using thelaminate A shown in Table 1. The elliptical teat opening-stickingportion 21 possessed a long axis d of a length of 35 mm. The virtualcircumscribing quadrilateral possessed the sides Q1 and Q2 which wereboth 90 mm in length. If the area of the virtual circumscribingquadrilateral Q was presumed to be 100%, then the area of the laminate Awas 80%.

The side surface-sticking portions 23 a possessed a maximum width w of50 mm while the side surface-sticking portions 23 b possessed a maximumwidth w of 25 mm.

The teat patch was stuck to the pseudo teat in a manner as shown in FIG.11, and was tested for its stickiness to the pseudo teat and was,further, evaluated for its sustenance of adhesion by using the realdairy cattle in the same manner as in Example 2-1. The results were asshown in Tables 4 and 5.

When stuck to the pseudo teat as shown in FIG. 11, a maximum width ofthe overlapping portion 25 was about 14 mm.

Example 2-5

A teat patch of the shape shown in FIG. 9 was prepared by using thelaminate A shown in Table 1. The circular teat opening-sticking portion21 possessed a diameter d of 25 mm, and the virtual circumscribingquadrilateral possessed a long side Q1 of a length of 100 mm and a shortside Q2 of a length of 80 mm. If the area of the virtual circumscribingquadrilateral Q was presumed to be 100%, then the area of the laminate Awas 50%.

The teat patch was stuck to the pseudo teat in a manner as shown in FIG.11, and was tested for its stickiness to the pseudo teat and was,further, evaluated for its sustenance of adhesion by using the realdairy cattle in the same manner as in Example 2-1. The results were asshown in Tables 4 and 6.

When stuck to the pseudo teat as shown in FIG. 11, a maximum width ofthe overlapping portion 25 was about 5 mm.

Example 2-6

A teat patch of the shape shown in FIG. 5 was prepared by using thelaminate B shown in Table 1. The circular teat opening-sticking portion21 possessed a diameter d of 25 mm, and the virtual circumscribingquadrilateral possessed a long side Q1 of a length of 80 mm and a shortside Q2 of a length of 55 mm. If the area of the virtual circumscribingquadrilateral Q was presumed to be 100%, then the area of the laminate Awas 77%.

The side surface-sticking portions 23 possessed a maximum width w of 40mm.

The teat patch was stuck to the pseudo teat in a manner as shown in FIG.11, and was tested for its stickiness to the pseudo teat and was,further, evaluated for its sustenance of adhesion by using the realdairy cattle in the same manner as in Example 2-1. The results were asshown in Tables 4 and 6.

When stuck to the pseudo teat as shown in FIG. 11, a maximum width ofthe overlapping portion 25 was about 8 mm.

Example 2-7

A teat patch of the shape shown in FIG. 10 was prepared by using thelaminate A shown in Table 1. The circular teat opening-sticking portion21 possessed a diameter d of 25 mm, and the virtual circumscribingquadrilateral possessed a long side Q1 of a length of 100 mm and a shortside Q2 of a length of 60 mm. If the area of the virtual circumscribingquadrilateral Q was presumed to be 100%, then the area of the laminate Awas 92.5%.

The teat patch was stuck to the pseudo teat in a manner as shown in FIG.11, and was tested for its stickiness to the pseudo teat and was,further, evaluated for its sustenance of adhesion by using the realdairy cattle in the same manner as in Example 2-1. The results were asshown in Tables 4 and 6.

When stuck to the pseudo teat as shown in FIG. 11, a maximum width ofthe overlapping portion 25 was about 9 mm.

Comparative Example 2-1

A teat patch of the shape quite the same as that of Example 2-1(embodiment of FIG. 5) was prepared but using the laminate C shown inTable 1.

The teat patch was stuck to the pseudo teat in a manner as shown in FIG.11, and was tested for its stickiness to the pseudo teat and was,further, evaluated for its sustenance of adhesion by using the realdairy cattle in the same manner as in Example 2-1. The results were asshown in Tables 4 and 6.

TABLE 4 Form Teat stick portion Side surfaces Circle, diameter Maximumover- Stickiness to the pseudo teat d (ellipse, long Q1 Q2 lapping widthImmediately 7 Days Laminate axis d) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) after stuckafter stuck Example 2-1 laminate A d = 25 80 55 about 8 no wrinkle nowrinkle Example 2-2 laminate A d = 20 90 80 about 13 no wrinkle nowrinkle Example 2-3 laminate A d = 20 90 90 about 11 no wrinkle nowrinkle Example 2-4 laminate A d = 35 90 90 about 14 no wrinkle nowrinkle Example 2-5 laminate A d = 25 100 80 about 5 no wrinkle nowrinkle Example 2-6 laminate B d = 25 80 55 about 8 no wrinkle slightlywrinkled Example 2-7 laminate A d = 25 100 60 about 9 no wrinkle nowrinkle Comparative laminate C d = 25 80 55 about 8 no wrinkle edgesfloated Example 2-1

TABLE 5 Stuck state Sticking Dairy Teat Right after 1 Day 2 Days 3 Days5 Days 7 Days 10 Days 14 Days workability cattle position stuck afterafter after after after after after Example ⊚ 1 right front 3 3 3 3 3 33 3 2-1 2 right rear 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 left front 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 4 leftrear 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 5 right front 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 6 right rear 3 3 3 33 3 3 3 average 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 2.8 2.8 2.7 Example ◯ 1 right rear 33 3 3 3 3 3 2 2-2 2 left front 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 3 left rear 3 3 3 3 3 3 33 4 right front 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 5 right rear 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 1 6 leftfront 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 average 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 2.8 2.7 2.0 Example Δ1 left front 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2-3 2 left rear 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 1 3 rightfront 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 right rear 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 1 5 left front 3 3 3 33 3 2 2 6 left rear 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 average 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 2.8 2.51.8 Example Δ 1 left rear 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2-4 2 right front 3 3 3 3 3 33 3 3 right rear 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 4 left front 3 3 3 2 2 1 1 1 5 leftrear 3 3 3 3 2 2 1 0 6 right front 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 average 3.0 3.0 3.02.8 2.7 2.5 2.2 1.8

TABLE 6 Stuck state Sticking Dairy Teat Right after 1 Day 2 Days 3 Days5 Days 7 Days 10 Days 14 Days workability cattle position stuck afterafter after after after after after Example ⊚ 1 right front 3 3 3 3 3 33 3 2-5 2 right rear 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 3 left front 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 leftrear 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 5 right front 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 6 right rear 3 3 3 33 3 2 2 average 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 2.7 2.5 Example ⊚ 1 right rear 33 3 3 3 3 2 2 2-6 2 left front 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 3 left rear 3 3 3 3 3 3 21 4 right front 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 5 right rear 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 1 6 leftfront 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 average 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 2.8 2.2 1.7 Example ⊚1 right rear 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2-7 2 left front 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 3 leftrear 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2.5 4 right front 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 5 right rear 3 3 33 3 3 3 2.5 6 left front 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 average 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.03.0 2.7 Comp. ⊚ 1 left front 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 1 Example 2 left rear 3 3 3 32 2 2 0 2-1 3 right front 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 4 right rear 3 3 3 3 3 3 1 0 5left front 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 0 6 left rear 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 1 average 3.0 3.03.0 3.0 2.8 2.7 1.8 0.7

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   -   1: laminate    -   2: elastic sheet    -   3: adhesive layer    -   5: protection film    -   7: parting sheet    -   10: teat opening protection patch    -   21: teat opening-sticking portion    -   23: teat side surface-sticking portions    -   25: overlapping portion    -   Q: circumscribing quadrilateral    -   X: symmetrical axis (vertical line)    -   Y: transverse line intersecting the vertical line at right        angles

1. A teat opening protection patch to be stuck to portions inclusive ofa teat opening of livestock, including a laminate of an elastic sheetand an adhesive layer laminated on one surface of the elastic sheet,said laminate having a double-stretched tensile stress in a range of 0.1to 5 N.
 2. The teat opening protection patch according to claim 1,wherein said laminate has a circular or elliptic planar shape, thediameter of the circle or the long axis of the ellipse being 5 to 40 mmin length.
 3. The teat opening protection patch according to claim 2,wherein said laminate has at least one slit that is stretching from theouter circumferential portion thereof toward the center of the circle orthe ellipse.
 4. The teat opening protection patch according to claim 1,wherein said laminate has at least a line symmetrical planar shape andincludes: a circular or elliptic portion for sticking to the teatopening having, as the center, a point where a vertical line that is anaxis of line symmetry intersects, at right angles thereto, a transverseline that equally divides a maximum length of the laminate into two inthe direction of the vertical line; and a plurality of portions forsticking to the side surfaces of the teat and extending outwards fromsaid portion for sticking to the teat opening; said portion for stickingto the teat opening being exposed to the exterior at a plurality ofplaces interposing at least the vertical line or the transverse lineamong them.
 5. The teat opening protection patch according to claim 4,wherein said laminate has a planar shape without any corner portionwhere the straight lines intersect each other.
 6. The teat openingprotection patch according to claim 5, wherein the diameter of thecircle or the long axis of the ellipse forming said portion for stickingto the teat opening, has a length of 5 to 40 mm.
 7. The teat openingprotection patch according to claim 4, wherein the portions for stickingto the side surfaces of the teat have a shape expanding outwards.
 8. Theteat opening protection patch according to claim 4, wherein when arectangular virtual circumscribing quadrilateral is formed on the planarshape of said laminate, the long side of said circumscribingquadrilateral has a length in a range of 30 to 200 mm while the shortside thereof has a length in a range of 20 to 150 mm.
 9. The teatopening protection patch according to claim 1, wherein a removableprotection film is laminated on the surface of said laminate on the sideopposite to the adhesive layer, and a parting sheet is stuck to thesurface of said adhesive layer.
 10. The teat opening protection patchaccording to claim 1, wherein said elastic sheet is formed ofpolyurethane.
 11. The teat opening protection patch according to claim1, wherein said elastic sheet is colored.
 12. A method of protectingteat openings of livestock by sticking the surface of the teat openingprotection patch of claim 1 on the side of the adhesive layer to theteats so as to cover the teat openings of the livestock.
 13. The methodof protecting the teat openings of livestock according to claim 12,wherein a sterilizing agent is applied to the teat openings or isinjected into the lactiferous ducts prior to said sticking said teatopening protection patch.